Pope Fancis appoints 19 new Cardinals

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THE VATICAN – Pope Francis was working hard this weekend. In his first such appointment since he was elected Pontiff last March, Pope Francis installed 19-cardinals in a ceremony in the Vatican’s Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Emeritus Benedict even showed up for the big event, embracing Pope Francis before the ceremony.

The new cardinals come from all corners of the world. Hailing from countries like Brazil, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, South Korea, and Haiti. Notice the United States didn’t make it in, but there was one Canadian.

After the ceremony the new cardinals were presented their traditional red cap and ring by Pope Francis, himself. Not a bad first day on the job.

According to the Vatican Radio, since 16 of the new cardinals are under 80 years old, they’ll be eligible to elect a new Pope when the time comes.

However, seeing as how Francis has become “The People’s Pope,” when election time does come, someone’s going to have some big, plain, black shoes to fill!